Modular Warehouse Solutions That Adapt to Change
In this episode, host Kevin Lawton talks with Ben Hull, Director of Sales at Item (pronounced "EET-em"), about the company's modular T-slot aluminum extrusion system—often likened to industrial Legos—that lets warehouses and manufacturers quickly design and reconfigure workstations, carts, and equipment. Hull explains the product’s origins, its 50‑year history, and how the system’s simple T‑slot design enables ergonomic, lean layouts that can be easily adjusted as processes evolve. He also outlines the three purchasing options: buying raw components, ordering pre‑cut kits, or receiving fully assembled solutions, each catering to different levels of in‑house expertise and time constraints. The conversation highlights real‑world use cases where flexibility and rapid iteration drive continuous improvement on the shop floor.
#372 VIRAL VIDEO PROMPT: Real Estate Agent Viewing Video
In episode #372, host discusses a viral real‑estate video that showcases a luxury home as more than a property—it's presented as the embodiment of the American dream. The conversation breaks down the marketing tactics used in the video, including cinematic...
Episode 150: House Building Robots - Vikas Enti
In this episode, Claire Asher talks with Vikas Enti, co‑founder and CEO of Reframe Systems, about how their robotic micro‑factory platform enables mass‑customized, climate‑resilient homes. Enti explains the end‑to‑end workflow—from site analysis and automated design to robot‑guided panel fabrication and...
Is the Real Estate Reset Stalled, or Just Slower? Insights From Carl Gomez, Chief Economist at Centurion Asset Management Inc.
In this 42‑minute episode, Chief Economist Carl Gomez explains that Canada’s commercial real‑estate market is undergoing a slow “Great Reset” driven by lingering uncertainty, high cap rates and the end of ultra‑low interest rates. While data shows the economy is...
AI Doesn't Replace Human Judgment in Retail Real Estate - Where We Buy #375
In this episode, James Cook talks with Paul Sill, head of JLL’s Visionary Insights Group, about how data‑driven analytics can guide retail and restaurant site selection while avoiding the trap of mistaking correlation for causation. Sill explains how their predictive...
Chicago: The Magnificent Mile and Beyond - Where We Buy #374
In this episode, JLL’s Midwest Retail Lead Wally Walfelt discusses Chicago’s retail real‑estate landscape, focusing on the post‑pandemic recovery of the central business district (CBD) and the iconic Magnificent Mile. He highlights that Chicago ranks among the top three U.S....
385. Market Shocks: Oil Prices Reframe the Macro, Six Years Post-COVID, Self-Storage Consolidation, & Office Green Shoots
In this episode, the Trepp Wire team analyzes how a sudden energy shock—driven by the Iran‑Saudi conflict—has pushed oil above $100, reigniting inflation and reshaping CRE financing amid a still‑steady Fed rate hold. They revisit the March 2020 COVID disruption,...
James Holbrook - Eliminating Industrial Real Estate Inefficiencies
In this episode, James Holbrook, founder and executive chairman of WearHub, discusses how proptech is evolving from fixing isolated pain points to redesigning market structures, using industrial real estate as a case study. He explains his 20‑year journey from brokerage...
The House that India Built, with Mark Aldridge
In this episode, host John Stapleton talks with South Australian activist and political candidate Mark Aldridge about a shocking wave of substandard homes being built by unlicensed immigrant builders. Aldridge recounts his investigation into a newly constructed house that was...
From Donation Centers to Boutiques with Planet Aid - Where We Buy #373
In this episode James Cook talks with Uli Stoach of Planet Aid about the nonprofit’s model of collecting, reselling, and recycling used textiles to fund global sustainability projects. Stoach explains how Planet Aid places solar‑powered donation centers—refurbished shipping containers with...
Money and Me: Is Headline DPU Hiding the Truth About Your REIT?
In this episode, Michelle Martin talks with REIT specialist Kenny Lowe about why investors should look beyond the headline Distribution Per Unit (DPU) when evaluating Singapore REITs. Kenny explains how one‑off bonuses, sponsor rental support, lease incentives and financial engineering...
384. Volatility Returns: Oil Shock, Two Market Risks, Student Housing Exposure, Savills-Eastdil Deal, & More Impactful Headlines
The episode examines how a sudden oil price shock from Middle East tensions is reigniting dual risks in commercial real estate: sticky inflation and slowing growth. Stephen Bushbaum explains that this volatility is likely to tighten financing conditions, widen credit...
Will Curtis: Bridging the Military-to-CRE Gap One Veteran at a Time
In this episode, veteran‑turned‑CRE professional Will Curtis shares how his Army experience and a pivotal financial‑specialist presentation sparked his transition into commercial real estate, leading him to specialize in office and industrial assets across Texas. He emphasizes the importance of...
Tous Les Jours' Path to 1,000 US Locations - Where We Buy #372
In this episode James Cook talks with Taeyeon Kim, Chief Development Officer of CJ Foodville’s Tous les Jours, about the brand’s rapid expansion across the U.S. Kim explains the bakery‑café’s French‑Asian concept, its menu highlights like matcha, ube drinks and...
The Most Curious Things Happening in Multifamily Innovation, with Sage Ventures' Moshe Crane
In this episode, host Edward Cohen and co‑host Zach Ahrens sit down with Moshe Crane, VP of Sage Ventures and author of the Curious Deal newsletter, to dissect the current state of multifamily real estate. Moshe explains how nuanced market...
Marco Nobel - Revolutionizing European Student Housing
In this episode, Marco Noble, founder and CEO of Fuse, discusses his evolution from creating the global student community platform Socials to building Fuse, a vertically integrated flex‑living brand for young people across Central and Eastern Europe. He explains how...
How Back Leverage Is Revolutionizing European Real Estate Debt Markets
In this episode Stuart Watson talks with Reed Smith partner Josh Hughes and Knight Frank associate Jess Qureshi about back leverage – the practice of borrowing to fund existing debt – and its rapid rise in European real‑estate finance. They...
30A Market Update: Inventory Compression and Seller Leverage (March 2, 2026)
In this March 2, 2026 episode, the host provides a data‑driven market update for Florida’s 30A corridor, highlighting a sharp drop in inventory to under 30 single‑family homes and a surge in unit sales that signals a shift toward seller...
Ian Scott's Guide to Unforgettable Retail - Where We Buy #371
In this episode, retail strategist Ian Scott walks host James Cook through the concept of a "retail safari," explaining how he curates immersive store tours for clients seeking inspiration beyond their own categories. Scott highlights the importance of mixing specific...
Understanding the I-77 Toll Debate
In this episode, Tony Messia talks with WFAE political reporter Steve Harrison about the contentious plan to add toll lanes to I‑77 between Uptown Charlotte and the South Carolina line. They explore the traffic woes that motivate the project, the...
No More 'Easy Trades': REIT Take-Privates Could Slow in Reshaped Market
The episode examines the recent slowdown in REIT take‑private activity as market conditions improve, highlighting the $3.4 billion Affinius Capital acquisition of Varus Residential REIT as a benchmark. Guests Jonathan Brass, Sarah Marks, and Matthew Norris explain that higher valuations, abundant...
How [Solidcore] Picks the Perfect Location - Where We Buy #370
solidcore has accelerated its expansion, growing from 85 studios in 2022 to 165 today and targeting 205 locations by year‑end. The boutique fitness chain focuses on women aged 25‑35, emphasizing community‑driven experiences and preventative wellness. Site selection prioritizes co‑tenants such...
Guest: Lisa DeNight of Newmark on the Industrial Real Estate Market on the Rise; Thoughts on Improving Infrastructure; Striving for...
Lisa DeNight, Newmark’s North American Industrial Research head, discussed a rebound in industrial real estate as manufacturers seek new facilities. The National Association of Manufacturers highlighted chronic infrastructure underinvestment, linking highway congestion to higher freight costs. A recent Infios survey...
Managing the Mixx: Creating Successful Live-Work-Play Destinations - Where We Buy #369
Sean McNamara heads The Mixx at JLL, a platform that oversees complex mixed‑use developments across North America. He outlines the operational challenges of integrating office, retail, residential, hotel, and entertainment functions on a single site. By emphasizing strategic merchandising, placemaking...